OCD subtypes and Pure OCD

[StrayDetective]

Hi everyone, this is my first thread so I’m not entirely sure how this usually works but I was just wondering if there is anyone who would like to talk about the lesser known subtypes of OCD? I have HOCD/SOCD but I know there are others. If there is anyone who has managed to overcome these or would just like to talk about them you are welcome to share because I know how difficult it can be living with OCD

[Petal22]

Hi StrayDetective,

Wellcome to our forums!

Thank you for your thread, can you please let us know what the subtypes stand for?

I was diagnosed with severe anxiety OCD this condition was a very cruel disorder I was caught up in a vicious OCD cycle.

I have now recovered from this condition thanks to the professional help that I received I’ve been free of it for four and a half years.

OCD is very difficult, thank you for being so open.

[StrayDetective]

Hi Petal22,
Thank you so much for the response!

HOCD/SOCD stands for Sexual Orientation OCD which I have had for just under two years.

There are others that aren’t talked about much such as Harm OCD and Existential OCD which I know can also be very difficult as all OCD types are.

That’s amazing that you’ve managed to recover, I am currently getting professional help also so I’m hoping to see some results soon.

[Summer Rose]

Hi StrayDetective

Thanks so much for starting this thread and shining a light on OCD.

OCD is an often misunderstood illness, which really deserves much more attention than it currently gets considering that an OCD diagnosis is as common as one for asthma. When I say attention I mean both discussion and information sharing in the broader community and federal and state government funding.

We have a long way to go in terms of creating understanding, combating stigma and offering prevention, treatment and ongoing wellness programs. One of the reasons I really appreciate your thread 🙂

My daughter has OCD and I have cared for her for about ten years. Like many other people with OCD she fell sick in her early teens.

Over the years I have assisted her in interactions with emergency responders, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and GPs. I have been by her side as she sought treatment in hospital and we have traveled to one of the world’s best OCD clinics. It has been a long and challenging journey, punctuated by incredible highs and lows.

To address your topic about overcoming OCD, what I have learned from my experience is that recovery can be a realistic goal for many people. When I say “recovery” I don’t mean “cure”. I mean learning to manage OCD, to live with it and being able to enjoy one’s best life.

From my experience it takes a lot of ongoing effort because OCD is a relentless chronic illness that doesn’t like to lose. And, of course, everything depends on an individual’s unique circumstances.

There are many factors that come into play, including length of illness, type of OCD, availability of appropriate treatment, available support systems, financial situation, etc. So, Petal’s experience has been quite different to my daughter’s (congratulations Petal). And yours will be different again.

So, I encourage you to keep working at it. To set realistic goals that reflect your personal situation. And to appreciate and value your hard won progress in whatever form it takes.

Kind thoughts to you

[geoff]

Hello StrayDetective, I also suffer from OCD and have for most of my 67 years and if you do have this illness then anything is possible because we are always in doubt, will I need to check the lock 3 or 4 times and even HOCD/SOCD occur because we can't seem to fully solve that doubt.

For some reason the same sex were always attracted to me as my wife always said, even though I've always been heterosexual and certainly wouldn't change, so SOCD always were included in my intrusive thoughts which frustrated me, but when I realised that these thoughts wouldn't happen, I could just brush them aside, but know if they are a worry for you, then you have my sympathy if you are against them.

I have to go out but will wait until we hear back from you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Petal22]

Hi StrayDetective,

Thank you for elaborating on the sub titles, I find that very interesting.

OCD is a cruel disorder , when I was in the grips of it I was forever stuck in a vicious OCD cycle.

I found by learning what my OCD cycle was and all the things that kept me in it was very detrimental learning.

By learning this I could become aware and recognise when I was starting to get caught up in the OCD cycle and then disengage from it.

I did a group therapy, there were many of us with the same condition.

The therapy I did wasn’t just specified for one type of intrusive thoughts the therapy can be used with “ any “ intrusive thoughts that the sufferer has.

I believe that anyone who has any sub title OCD would benefit from the same therapy.

The therapy I did was Metacognitive therapy it was an intervention into the OCD.

I have recovered and by being able to say that I mean it in a way that yes intrusive thoughts can appear at any time but I have been able to accept that intrusive thoughts happen to everyone and they are normal to have.

When I have an intrusive thought now I can just allow it to be there instead of putting my attention on it, questioning it, analysing it, adding what if questions to it , I don’t need to check things, ask for re assurance ect ( I no longer get caught up in the vicious cycle of OCD)…. If my attention does try to fixate on an intrusive thought I recognise this and disengage before I get any further into my OCD cycle…. I try to stay firmly in the present moment…….

OCD no longer rules my life.

I was taught many skills and given many tools in my therapy that I use on a daily basis……….. not just for the condition I had but for every day things in my life.

Thats great that you are receiving professional help! Well done I really hope you can get some relief from your OCD …..

Feel free to chat to us and let us know how your recovery is going.

In therapy I learned that OCD works on a sliding scale some days will be better than others but once you practice your tools and skills and put them into your daily life the good days will eventually out weigh the bad ones….

Just keep persevering

[StrayDetective]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you for your kind words, the intrusive SOCD thoughts are very prevalent in my life but I am going to start CBT soon so hopefully I will find it easier to brush them aside like you said

[StrayDetective]

Hi Summer Rose,

Thank you for your kind words and my heart goes out to your daughter, OCD is indeed a rollercoaster experience filled with anxiety and I am currently working on letting the intrusive thoughts come and go as they please until my reaction to them settles down. I understand that different types of treatment don't work for everyone so I hope your daughter can find a pathway that suits her just as I am working on finding the right treatment methods.

All the best 🙂

[StrayDetective]

Hi Petal22

Thank you for your kind words and tips,

I haven't heard of Metacognitive therapy before but it definitely sounds like its worth a try should another treatment method fail.

I am still working on accepting the intrusive thoughts and I think that with time and treatment I will be able to achieve this, which is definitely a different mindset to the one I held early on in my OCD experience.

[Petal22]

That’s ok StrayDetective.

You sound very positive, keep that positive mindset and keep persevering you will get there…………

Its great to see your mind set has changed.

OCD can seem like a marathon at times but it’s one you can win……..

Thanks again for your thread 😀 it’s really nice to see that you are here aswell for others which is great.

Please add to your thread any time you feel you want to….. I’d love to hear about your journey and progress 😀